February 2017

Finally learning that bigger isn’t always better (see X-Men: Apocalypse and X-Men: The Last Stand), 20th Century Fox has moved away from the super-sized team film. With both Logan and Legion (FX’s new series based around the X-Men character of the same name), the X-Men universe is taking some interesting turns with a darker tone and smaller character-driven stories. Logan may not be as entertaining as Deadpool, but it definitely ranks as one of the better X-Men films (and easily the best of the Wolverine standalone movies).

Beyond closes out its First Season with Holden (Burkely Duffield) and Willa (Dilan Gwyn) blackmailed into leading Frost (Martin Donovan) into the Realm and to the bridge he has spent his entire life searching for. Not surprisingly, the reality doesn’t quite match up to the man’s dreams, forcing Holden and Willa to flee the Realm and leave Frost trapped inside with the bizarre creatures. It appears the method of their escape, teased earlier on this season, will have ramifications for both Holden and the Realm next season.

For the latest Hellboy storyline, creator Mike Mignola (along with the five-issue mini-series co-writer Chris Roberson) goes back to the beginning. Showing up just before Hellboy‘s arrival, an unnamed visitor was also on hand with explicit instructions to kill the beast prophesied to destroy the world should it appear.

Seeing a helpless infant with many possible futures, and not a monstrous beast determined to wipe out all life, the visitor chose to watch rather than act rashly and see what the creature might become. Taking place along Hellboy’s timeline but outside of it, the new five-issue series ponders an important idea about how far you would go to prevent someone from becoming a monster. Is Hellboy indeed destined to destroy? Or is his fate in his own hands?

Everyone at the DEO and Casa de Danvers is happy with the return of Jeremiah Danvers (Dean Cain), rescued after being held for years by Camdus. Everyone that is except for Mon-El (Chris Wood) who not only questions the doctor’s story but also raises the possibility that Jeremiah might have been sent in by Cadmus as a mole. Souring the honeymoon period with Kara (Melissa Benoist), and drawing the ire of Alex (Chyler Leigh), Mon-El’s suspicions begin to divide the team and provide the perfect distraction to allow Jeremiah to perform his real mission.

I’ll admit I’m a bit lost as to what’s happening here. Here’s what we know: Doctor Doom has taken over the role of Iron Man. S.H.I.E.L.D. sent the Thing to find and take down the former super-villain turned hero. Discovering Ben Grimm went to Latveria in search of his prey, Doom returns home to the country he once ruled with an iron fist only to discover… his mother? What is going on?

Believing Fulcrum’s identity might have been discovered, Ezra (Taylor Gray) is sent in to extract Agent Kallus (David Oyelowo). Things get a little complicated, however, by the sudden arrival of Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen). Focusing primarily on Kallus, the episode showcases the man’s skill as a spy and Rebel saboteur as he deftly manipulates events to frame another Imperial officer for his crimes. However, there’s nothing Kallus can do to prevent Thrawn from surmising Ezra’s identity which leads to Kallus’ ruse falling apart and the true traitor standing exposed. Never one to relinquish the upper-hand, Thrawn chooses not to expose Kallus and instead allow Fulcrum to continue to serve the Rebellion (not realizing from this point on he’s actually serving the interests of the Empire).